After founding the Lowercase sunglasses brand in 2014, Gerard Masci and Brian Vallario dedicated time to procuring the machinery and design knowledge necessary to construct acetate frames in their hometown of NYC. While the hinges are German and the lenses are Carl Zeiss glass, the brand turns acetate sourced from Japan and Italy into the first sunglasses made in NYC in decades. Over 30 steps—many quite physically demanding—go into creating their classy, minimal eyewear. You can read more over at The Hand & Eye, who visited Lowercase’s production facility in the Brooklyn Army Terminal.